The 331 area code is often used for fake legal complaint calls and government impersonation scams. Fraudsters pretend to be officials to scare you into handing over money or personal identification.
Look up any suspicious number using our scam and spam phone number lookup database. It includes over 29 million Do Not Call and robocall complaints reported to the Federal Trade Commission.
Getting calls from 331 area code and wonder if it's a scam? You're not alone. Scammers frequently spoof Illinois (Aurora, Naperville, Bolingbrook) phone numbers to trick you into answering. Here are the most common area code 331 scams based on user comments:
Scammers from the 331 area code are calling, falsely claiming you have a "complaint on file" that needs your immediate attention. They threaten that if you do not update your contact information or address the issue, they will report it directly to your job's HR or payroll department.
Legitimate legal offices and process servers do not call ahead to threaten you. They deliver official documents in person or via certified mail according to strict legal procedures, and they do not use your employer as a tool for intimidation.
"Claim to have a complaint on file and if I do not address the compliant they will contact my HR payroll at work. Go find a job and stop scamming people that work hard for their money."
Callers are pretending to be government officials to scare you. Some, like a man identifying as "Officer Andrew Hall," claim you have an arrest warrant. Others with heavy accents will say there is "suspicious activity" on your Social Security card and try to get you to verify your personal information.
The Social Security Administration and IRS primarily communicate via U.S. Mail. They will never call you to threaten immediate arrest or demand personal information to "unfreeze" your account.
"Officer Andrew Hall said I have an arrest warrant out for me because of suspicious activity on my SS card... need I say more? SCAMMER"
You may receive a robocall or voicemail about a large, fake purchase on one of your accounts. Reports from our area mention fraudulent charges from Amazon, Walmart, and one specifically for an "Apple iPhone 16 Pro" costing $999. The message instructs you to press 1 to speak with a representative to cancel the order, which is a trick to get your personal information.
Major retailers like Amazon and Apple send you email confirmations for your orders. They do not use robocalls to ask you to authorize a payment or require you to provide personal details over the phone to cancel a transaction.
"They left a voicemail stating to authorize the payment of $999 for the recent order of Apple iPhone 16 Pro on your account. If you do not authorize this payment, please press 1 to speak to our customer support representative."
These are relentless robocalls hoping to sell you "auto protection" or an extended warranty, often claiming your existing one has run out. Some callers are alarmingly specific, knowing the make of your car, such as a "Nissan Versa," to sound more credible. They often hang up if you ask to be removed from their list.
Reputable companies do not rely on aggressive, unsolicited robocalls for sales. These calls are often fishing for personal information and may not represent a legitimate warranty provider.
"These low-lifes call up hoping to sell you auto protection (after your warranty has run out). I don't have an automobile and I have had so many of their calls that I'm nauseous. Tried being dropped from their call list, and the rep hung up on me."
You may get a prerecorded message saying you "qualify for some sort of medical thing" and asking you to participate in a survey. To make you feel safe, the recording states that your answers will not affect your health coverage, but it deliberately never mentions the name of the company that is calling.
Your doctor's office or actual insurance provider will always identify themselves immediately when they call. They do not use anonymous, vague robocalls to conduct surveys about your eligibility for medical services.
"no company name as to who is calling and leaving a prerecorded message that will only take a few moment of my time and that anything related to my health coverage no matter the answer will not be affected."
A huge number of reports describe calls from 331 numbers that are completely silent, hang up the moment you answer, or call relentlessly. Some residents report getting bombarded with up to 7-10 calls in a row from the same number without ever leaving a voicemail.
These calls are typically made by autodialers to verify that your phone number is active and belongs to a real person. Answering the call, even for a second, flags your number as "live," which often leads to it being sold to other spammers and scammers, resulting in even more unwanted calls.
"I just got 7 calls in row."
Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 201 Scams and Spam Calls
No, area code 331 is not a scam. It's a legitimate telephone area code serving millions of legitimate residents and businesses in Illinois, United States. Area code 331 is a general purpose code that has been in service since October 7, 2007.
Most common 331 scam types are:
You're likely experiencing "Neighbor Spoofing." Scammers fake their caller ID to display local or familiar numbers. If you live in or near Illinois, or have a 331 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call.
Calling back to unknown spam number may incur premium charges or at least confirm your phone number is active and lead to more spam and scam calls.
There are three main ways to reduce spam calls:
It's definitely possible to block all specific area code phone numbers. However, we do not recommend this option because it would also prevent friends, family, doctors, and legitimate businesses from reaching you.
Other Illinois area codes where scam and spam calls are regularly reported: